How to Handle Mood Swings During Periods?

Mood swings are a common human experience, the major credit for it to occur is given to hormonal fluctuations. Women face this a lot, especially during PMS (premenstrual syndrome). They experience numerous hormonal changes in their body a week or two before their periods. Women have to go through various natural symptoms during their PMS such as irritation, discomfort, frustration, etc., and all of these cause mood swings.

Knowing how to handle mood swings during periods helps resolve further issues like depression and fatigue. PMS can be harsh for women as they might experience loneliness, anger, downheartedness, and many such feelings, all at once!

A] Detailed Understanding Of Mood Swings During Periods

Hormonal changes occur inside the body during periods and thus mood swings crop up. Due to fluctuations in serotonin during the phase of PMS, you might become angry, sad, or happy. Therefore, it is advisable to understand your menstrual cycle and know the dates of your periods as it will help you combat your mood swings. Understandably, controlling emotions during periods is difficult but one can do it with proper measures.

Serotonin and neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating emotions. They are chemicals present in the body to carry messages throughout. Mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, and bone health are all handled by Serotonin. The change in the hormones that happens before the period causes irritation and anxiety, ultimately deteriorating your menstrual health along with your mental health. These are the most common period symptoms a woman faces for a few days every month. Despite being a mild condition, mood swings can’t be ignored as it causes disruptions in your life.

B] What Are The Causes of Mood Swings During Periods

Human beings experience mood swings due to stress and work pressure but this is different from what women experience during their periods. Mood swings during or before periods are primarily caused due to fluctuations in hormones. So, hormonal changes can be called the main factor or root of mood swings. However, various other factors come into the picture during that time.

The body’s estrogen and progesterone levels also prompt mood changes. A higher level of estrogen creates issues like fatigue and sadness. On the contrary, progesterone at high levels invites problems such as tiredness and tearfulness. Maintaining these levels in our body is important to face lesser pain. Mood swings also depend on what lifestyle you choose for yourself. Some women set certain routines and they tend to follow them without reasoning. This doesn’t prove good for them, especially during periods.

During PMS or PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder), women are recommended to follow a healthy diet, light workout, and a proper sleep pattern. This helps them combat mood swings and other related period symptoms. Those suffering from pre-existing mental health conditions are more bound to get these mood swings, depression, tiredness, etc. Stress or other mental issues can impassively harm you during periods.

C] What Is The Solution for Managing Mood Swings

1. Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle plays an important role in managing our mood. Choosing a healthy lifestyle is pivotal in dealing with issues during periods. A healthy lifestyle includes a proper diet, 7-8 hours of sleep, regular exercise, meditation, etc. This proves to be one of the most efficient stress management techniques, leading to a reduction in irregular periods. Regular exercise and physical activity can promote endorphin release, ultimately a route to improve mood.

2. Dietary Adjustments

Diet is another factor that helps in managing our moods. During periods, women may experience a lot of changes in their body. To create an internal balance, it is important to have a proper diet. Iron-rich foods are recommended along with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin B6. One should avoid drinking alcohol and excessive coffee as it leads to excessive mood swings during periods.

3. Herbal Remedies and Supplements

Maintaining an emotional balance in the body during periods is crucial to restrict factors leading to mood swings. Herbal Remedies and nutritional supplements can prove to be the ultimate mood-swing solution.

Ginger and turmeric are some of the natural supplements you can take to ease indigestion and balance hormones. Other herbal supplements that can be used in repairing mood swings are chasteberry and evening primrose oil.

4. Medication

Qualified doctors have prescribed some medications to deal with mood swings during periods. Antidepressants or hormonal birth control can prove to be helpful during this phase. These are some of the medicines used to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, medications shouldn’t be taken without proper consultation with doctors.

D] Tips To Maintain Emotional Balance

1. Stress Management

Stress can be disastrous. You must manage stress to maintain the emotional balance during or before periods. The best way to do it is through yoga and meditation. These are some of the relaxation techniques that help us to control our minds. Talking therapy can also help to reduce stress levels and balance mood. Emotional balance can be easily maintained through yoga, tai chi, or other progressive muscle relaxation approaches.

2. Self-Care Practices

One can also indulge oneself in self-care practices such as pursuing hobbies and listening to pleasant songs for mind refreshment. You can learn aromatherapy and take warm baths that help in enhancing your mood. Before or during menstruation, it’s important to take care of ourselves and prioritize personal needs rather than thinking about others.

3. Social Support

You do require social support in your menstruation phase even if you don’t ask for it. It is advisable to seek support from family, friends, and loved ones during periods as it refreshes your mood. If you need help emotionally, you must sit with your partner or loved ones and have open communication with them. Sharing feelings with your dearest builds up the mood during periods.

4. Asking for Professional Help

If you’re getting impacted by the regular period mood swings then it is okay to meet and seek help from doctors and counselors. The impact of heavy periods is effectively solved by a gynaecologist rather than a normal therapist. It is always recommended to ask for professional help in such conditions as it provides you with treatments for Menorrhagia. Asking for professional help may create a lot of discussion and a topic of interest for others, still, it is completely normal to opt for mental health professionals specializing in women’s health.

Conclusion

Mood swings during periods can be harsh for some of you as it leads to many other issues. Managing mood swings can be challenging and the above mentioned tips may help you overcome this to manage and maintain emotional balance. Mood swings need to be handled with care by incorporating many lifestyle changes in order to achieve success.

We at Womens Healthcare, provide you with the ultimate solution to balance mental and physical health to lower the impact of your mood swings. You can opt for professional help from a private gynaecologist in London to have personalized counseling for any periods-related issues.

Neha Goel

Neha Goel, a Psychology alumna and MBA graduate from CASS Business School, London, brings together her expertise as a Reiki Practitioner and Practice Manager. She integrates psychology and business strategies to foster holistic well-being and personal development.